Search Results - communications & internet

Neuromorphic computing, systems designed to mimic the biological nervous system, require far less power than current computer processors. The increased efficiency makes feasible artificial intelligence applications for smaller, hand-held devices (e.g. smartphones, tablets). To this end, UMass inventors have designed hardware components that mimic neuronal synapses (Figure A). Specifically, diffusive Ag-in-oxide memristors show a temporal response during and after stimulation similar to that of a biological synapse. The novel diffusive memristor and its synapse-like dynamics enable a direct emulation of both short- and long-term plasticity of biological synapses and represent a major advancement in a hardware implementation for neuromorphic computing.

A new fully asymmetric backscatter communication protocol where nodes blindly transmit data as and when they sense. This model enables fully flexible node designs, from extraordinarily power efficient backscatter radios that consume barely a few micro-watts to high-throughput radios that can stream at hundreds of Kbps while consuming a paltry tens of micro-watts.

The Frequency-Shifted (FS) Backscatter invention promotes practical backscatter communication for ultra-low power on-body sensors by leveraging radios on existing smart phones and wearables. This invention addresses the self-interference from the wireless carrier without relying on built-in capability to cancel or reject the carrier interference. Utilizing this invention, the tag shifts the carrier signal to an adjacent non-overlapping frequency band and isolates the spectrum of the backscatter signal from the spectrum of the primary signal to enable more robust decoding.

Memristive devices are characterized by their present resistance being dependent on the current that last passed through them. In this invention, a memristive RF switch is created by having two micro-electrodes with a small air gap, e.g., 50nm or less, between them. When in the “off” state, the air gap between the electrodes gives the device a very high resistance. When a “setting voltage” is applied between the electrodes, a conductive filament is self-created from one electrode, which bridges the air gap and contacts the other electrode. The device in now the “on” state, and resistance is very low. To turn the device off again, a “resetting voltage” having opposite polarity is applied, and the conductive filament’s connection to the other electrode is broken.

A new low power resistance random access memory (RRAM) device based on silicon materials has been invented. RRAM devices are non-volatile memory devicesas well as promising candidates to replace FLASH memory and become the front runner among non-volatile memories. Instead of charge storage, RRAM uses high and low resistance as state variables. RRAM devices are attractive due to their fast switch speed, overwrite ability without erase, low power consumption, high endurance and long retention times. However, RRAM devices with low programming voltages and excellent device-to-device performance repeatability are still yet to be implemented. The current invention addresses these issues. Moreover, unlike other RRAM devices currently under development, these devices use only silicon-based materials making them compatible with CMOS technology. Altogether, these improvements make this new RRAM device an attractive option for commercial development.

A novel approach to the design, operation and control of hybrid power generation systems, via an integrated communication network. Components (energy generators, consumers, support and control equipment) of the system are connected by 2 pathways, one for the distribution of energy, and the other for communications between components.

A number of modifications to the geometry of a conventional Balanced Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna (cBAVA) were made to improve performance. This design also incorporates modular construction to improve manufacturability and facilitate replacement of defective portions of the phased array.

A physical design improvement that offers wide frequency band performance in loop antennas, allowing operation with a voltage standing wave ratio of less than two (VSWR <2). The general shape employs two unequal ellipses, the feed region is kept wide and the grounded end kept narrow. Additionally, this design can operate as either a full-loop or half-loop and operate with systems of specific characteristic impedance. The antenna can be backed with or without a substrate to adjust performance.

This invention introduces a new medium access control (MAC) protocol invented for high bandwidth wireless packet networks, such as IEEE 802.11a/b/g based wireless LANs. In general, the invention provides media access control in a communication network which includes multiple communication stations coupled over a shared communication medium.